Black powder flowing with hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon pipeline is converted into a magnetorheological slurry by implementing wet scrubbing in the hydrocarbon pipeline. A flow of the magnetorheological slurry through the hydrocarbon pipeline is controlled.

Black powder flowing with hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon pipeline is converted into a magnetorheological slurry by implementing wet scrubbing in the hydrocarbon pipeline. A flow of the magnetorheological slurry through the hydrocarbon pipeline is controlled.

Black powder flowing with hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon pipeline is converted into a magnetorheological slurry by implementing wet scrubbing in the hydrocarbon pipeline. A flow of the magnetorheological slurry through the hydrocarbon pipeline is controlled.

Methods for preparing, converting, and/or transporting bitumen are provided. Asphaltene prills, prilling processes, and converted bitumen suitable for transport are disclosed. One method for preparing bitumen for transport comprises: separating asphaltene from the bitumen to generate a deasphalted oil and asphaltene; separating the asphaltene into a first asphaltene fraction and a second asphaltene fraction, the first asphaltene fraction being less soluble in deasphalted oil and the second asphaltene fraction being more soluble in deasphalted oil; and forming an asphaltene prill comprising an inner core comprising the second asphaltene fraction and an outer layer comprising the first asphaltene fraction. Asphaltene prills disclosed herein may comprise an inner core comprising an asphaltene fraction having more solubility in deasphalted oil, and an outer layer comprising an asphaltene fraction having less solubility in deasphalted oil. Methods for the transport of bitumen via a pipeline are disclosed.

A pipeline system that is configured to provide safe transportation of a hazardous material wherein the pipeline system encapsulates the hazardous material in a transport pellet. The pipeline system of the present invention includes a pipeline that is constructed to initiate at a first destination and terminate at the same destination so as to provide a continuous path therebetween. The pipeline has disposed therein a transport media that is configured to flow within the pipeline along the continuous path. The transport media of the present invention is non-toxic so as to prevent damage to the environment in the event of a pipeline compromise. A plurality of transport pellets are provided wherein the transport pellets include a durable outer casing defining an interior volume. Hazardous material is disposed within the transport pellet and the transport pellet is suspended in the transport media for transportation.

Black powder flowing with hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon pipeline is converted into a magnetorheological slurry by implementing wet scrubbing in the hydrocarbon pipeline. A flow of the magnetorheological slurry through the hydrocarbon pipeline is controlled.

A high pressure volumetric fluid metering device for controlling the flow of fluid from a high pressure fluid supply source to a process line includes a modulator configured to pump a predetermined volume of high pressure fluid at a predetermined flow rate and an oscillator in fluid communication with the high pressure fluid supply source. The oscillator is configured to selectively direct high pressure fluid from the high pressure fluid supply source toward the modulator and further configured to direct the predetermined volume of high pressure fluid pumped out of the modulator toward an oscillator outlet. The metering device further includes a differential pressure regulator configured to substantially maintain the pressure differential across the modulator and oscillator.

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).

An object is to accurately estimate loss-on-ignition in a short time. A loss-on-ignition estimation apparatus includes at least one processor configured to carry out an estimation step, the estimation step including estimating the loss-on-ignition of foundry sand with use of a learned model constructed by means of machine learning. The learned model is configured to receive, as input, (1) sand weight data relating to a weight of the foundry sand detected in a calcination period and (2) at least one of (i) sand property data relating to one or more properties of the foundry sand, (ii) additive data relating to one or more additives added to the foundry sand, and (iii) calcination environment data relating to a calcination environment detected in the calcination period. The learned model is configured to generate, as output, an estimated loss-on-ignition of the foundry sand.

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).